If it is to be believed that dynamite comes in small packages, then seven-year-old Troy Paulse is an atomic bomb, because the little actor from Belhar is making waves in the acting industry.

Early stage

At this early stage in his career, he has already featured in the film The Heart is a Muscle and television series Straat and Skemergrond. But according to his mother, he wants more. “Troy is already an actor, but his dream is to do more and go further,” says his proud mother, Chavonne Matthys, also an actress.

The Heart is a Muscle is a multiple-award-winning film that was also South Africa’s entry into the Academy Awards.

Budding actor

Matthys is the one who got her son into acting. “I thought he was cute and handsome, brave, confident and would make a good actor, so I signed him up with an agency. I wanted to be an actress as a child but did not get the opportunity, and being a mother now to this boy, I decided to expose him to it. Initially I thought it would only be for commercials, but it turned out better,” says Matthys.

According to Matthys, the thing about her son is that he is unique. “I have not seen a seven-year-old so confident, and that makes him unique. Troy is really a bundle of joy, in my life and in so many other people’s. He loves to sing and he loves church and has lots of friends.”

Troy says he likes doing things that other boys his age like. “I like playing with cars and playing in the sand and with my friends. But I love acting,” he says.

Long career

His mother says he does not get a big head from being on television, because she keeps him in check. “I teach him how to talk to people and how to behave. If he doesn’t behave, he gets punished by not getting his phone. Most times he is a good son,” she jokes.

What’s next for Troy? “I believe that he will have a long career as long as he stays level-headed.”

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